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01/24/2005
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1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide
2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus
3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement
4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia

1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide

GLENDALE–The Southern California Armenian community, along with the faithful
from as far away as Fresno, gathered in Glendale, California on January 22 to
celebrate the anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF),
founded in 1890.
Glendale High School’s auditorium was packed with about 2,000 supporters who
came to mark the venerable organization’s unwavering commitment and dedication
to the Armenian people for more than a hundred years, through thick and thin.
The Homenetmen regional band, along with the scouts of its Ararat chapter,
opened the program with the flag ceremony, followed by the performances of the
American national anthem by Nanor Hindoyan, and the Armenian and ARF
anthems by
Nersik Ispiryan.
Honored guests included Western Region Prelate Archbishop Mousegh
Mardirossian
and Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and former Primate Vatche Hovsepian,
representatives of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical churches, Armenia’s
Consul General in the US Gagik Kirakossian, ARF Bureau representative Hrant
Margarian, Bureau member Dr. Vicken Hovsepian, as well as representatives of
the ADL (Ramgavar party), AGBU, ARS, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, and other
representatives of various organizations and the media.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Vasken Madenlian conveyed
welcoming remarks and served as the evening’s emcee.
Subsequent speakers included Melanie Vartabedian of the Armenian Youth
Federation, Anahit Stepanian of the ARF Central Committee, as well as keynote
speaker ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian.
Margarian began, noting that for decades on, when commemorating the
anniversary of the ARF, these events serve as an opportunity to be accountable
to the public.
Addressing current fundamental changes and unfolding of strategic situations
throughout the world, Margarian stressed that numerous important political and
international advancements were registered during the past year.
“In the case of Armenia, these advancements have come in the social,
domestic-political, economic sectors, and in foreign policy; there has also
been progress in Armenia-diaspora relations, in the advancement of the
Armenian
case, pan-Armenian, as well in the development of pan-diasporan community
relations.”
As far as ARF’s role and activity in carrying out vital social and economic
reforms in Armenia, Margarian noted that the ARF’s role as a government
coalition partner is not a self-serving one, and stressed that its
participation does not imply that the Tashnagtsutiun is fully content with the
government’s activities. “Rather, as a coalition partner, the Tashnagtsutiun
strives to guarantee that the government works toward maintaining and
continuing reform programs. It serves to ensure that the government’s fight
against corruption and bribery are more forceful, and that it more effectively
pursues the shaping of civil and public sectors, the implementation of
democratic ideals, and preservation of national harmony.”
In order to effectively tackle the country’s widespread corruption, the ARF,
revealed Margarian, urged the Armenian government to join Council of Europe’s
Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). As a result, Armenia became the
37th member, agreeing to adopt a strategic plan of action to stamp out
corruption, and indicating its clear-cut political will to integrate European
standards into society. Armenia’s membership, he stressed, also presumes
legislative commitments, and a multidisciplinary approach to fighting
corruption that includes cross-border cooperation between states and
international institutions.
In summary, Margarian stated that for the ARF, priority lies in pursuit of
issues tied to Armenia’s security. “The ARF cannot win when the people of
Armenia and our nation are under threat. During these times, the ARF, when
considering its political goals, simply cannot assume the role of a
spectator.”
He said that the ARF will continue to fight–at all cost and available means,
to establish democracy in Armenia and in eliminating poverty and corruption.
Margarian also spoke of recent upheavals in the South Caucuses, as well as
the
effects of foreign intervention and policy on the region, specifically
Armenia.
He said that the opposition in Armenia, inspired by developments in Georgia,
attempted to seize power, creating instability, and threatening not only the
situation in Mountainous Karabagh Republic, but also developments and
advancements in Armenia.
Margarian stressed that the ARF immediately called for negotiations between
the government and the opposition to maintain internal stability. Although the
opposition rejected all offers, the efforts and propositions of the ARF
nevertheless helped in quelling internal crisis. And as a result of that
policy, the party today enjoys a certain political authority, leverage, and
respect by the authorities, opposition organizations, political forces, as
well
as international and diplomatic representatives operating in Armenia, he said.
On Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), Margarian emphasized that the
commitment of the diaspora to the issue, and the involvement of all Armenians
are guarantees that our victories there will be preserved and strengthened.
He affirmed ARF’s commitment to its fundamental views in establishing a
resolution to the conflict–according to which, and also legally–MKR must
be a
part of the Republic of Armenia.
On the issue of Javakhk, a majority Armenian populated region of Georgia,
Margarian said that Georgia is obliged to practically display its
commitment to
lifting not only its biased policy in the region, but one that has neglected
the economic and basic social needs of the population.
Margarian noted the importance of commemorating the 90th anniversary of the
genocide of Armenians by Turkey, saying, “Armenians must once again convey
their condemnation of that act against humanity–stressing to the world that
there will never be forgiveness without repentance and just compensation. Only
then can there be normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, and only then
can progress be registered.”

2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus

–Two term Congresswoman has been active on Genocide Recognition and
US-Armenia
Economic Relations Issues

GLENDALE–Southern California Democrat Linda Sanchez (39th Dist.) is the most
recent in a line of Representatives who have become members of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus. She joins Representatives Ben Chandler (R-KY),
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Joe Schwarz (R-MI), all of whom
have added their names to the Caucus over the past three weeks.
Since her election to Congress in 2002, Rep. Sanchez has consistently been
active on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. In the 108th
Congress, she was a cosponsor of a measure, which granted permanent normal
trade relations status (PNTR) to Armenia. She has also been vocal in urging
President Bush to properly commemorate the Armenian genocide, joining over 160
of her colleagues in cosigning letters to the President regarding the topic in
April 2003 and 2004.
`We appreciate Rep. Linda Sanchez’s leadership and advocacy on issues of
concern to her Armenian American constituency,’ commented ANCA Western Region
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. `It is through exemplary leadership
like hers that we will see the membership of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian issues continue to grow.’
An attorney by profession prior to her election to office, Rep. Sanchez
currently serves on the House Government Reforms, Small Business and Judiciary
Committees. She convincingly defeated Republican Tim Escobar in the 2004
Congressional elections, garnering 61% of the vote.
Established in 1995 and co-chaired by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Congressional Armenian Caucus is a bipartisan
forum
for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the
United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds
between the American and Armenian peoples.

3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement

YEREVAN (Arminfo)–In an interview broadcast by TV Company Armenia, US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated, `I know what criminal elements US
Assistant Secretary of the State Elizabeth Jones was referring to and do not
think the matter concerned Nagorno-Karabakh.’
According to the ambassador, the US’s position on Karabagh, which calls for a
peaceful settlement to the conflict, remains unchanged. `I have known her for
almost 30 years as a professional diplomat and when I first read about her
statement, I thought immediately: something is wrong here,’ commented Evans.
Jones’s intent, according to Evans, is to create closer cooperation between
the US and Russia in resolving the conflicts in Abkhazia, Transdnesitria, and
Mountainous Karabagh. `I know the geography [of the region] and I don’t think
that the matter concerned Nagorno Karabakhwe know what districts and elements
she meant,’ the American diplomat said.
Evans also added that the US has for several years now allocated support to
Mountainous Karabagh, and those who misinterpret Jones’s statement are
attempting to damage US-Armenia relations.

4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia

STRASBOURG–The European Armenian Federation announced over the weekend that
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is on the verge of
adopting two resolutions, one questioning the independent status of the
Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), and the other excluding the Armenian
genocide day of remembrance from the European calendar. PACE members will
determine the fate of both resolutions on Tuesday.
Prepared by David Atkinson (Democrat) from the United Kingdom, the resolution
dealing with MKR notes that `considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan
are still occupied by Armenian forces’ and that `separatist forces are
still in
control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.’ Full of incendiary language, the
resolution also describes MKR as a mono-ethnic area `which [evokes] the
terrible concept of ethnic cleansing.’
`The Atkinson report is the report of Azerbaijan. This country believes that
shifting the institutional framework will turn its crimes into virtues.
Attempts of ethnic cleansing actually occurred but, contrary to Mr. Atkinson
insinuations, it was the policy led by Baku,’ declared Laurent Leylekian,
executive director of the European Armenian Federation.
`Without the fight for self-determination led by the people of Karabagh,
theses historically Armenian territories would no longer house Armenians,
as is
the case today in the region of Nakhitchevan or throughout the areas of
Eastern
Turkey,’ Leylekian added.
On Tuesday, parliamentarians will also vote on a resolution drafted by
Sweden’s Mats Einarsson (United Left), which calls for the `establishment of a
European remembrance center for victims of forced population movements and
ethnic cleansing.’ In its current form, the resolution cites several examples
of genocides perpetrated during the twentieth century, including the Holocaust
organized by the Nazis, the forced migrations directed by Stalin, and the
genocide of the Ukrainians. It, however, deliberately omits mention of the
Armenian genocide.
`How can we grant credibility to an institution which supports such a biased
lecture of history?’ questioned Leylekian. `By taking cues from Turkey, the
Council of Europe is making itself party to a second symbolic murder of the
Armenians of Anatolia and Western Armenia. Such a move, taken by an
institution
which claims to serve as the guardian of human rights in Europe, is simply
pathetic.’
The European Armenian Federation has called upon European citizens and
organizations to intervene in the matter, by urging their PACE representatives
to vote against the two resolutions. A complete list of PACE parliamentarians
is available online at

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Council of Europe adopts resolution on Armenian-Azeri conflict

ANS TV, Baku
25 Jan 05

[Presenter in studio] The discussions on the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict at the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe [PACE] came to an end about two hours ago. The
participants in the session heard David Atkinson’s report on the
conflict. Our special correspondent Ayaz Mirzayev reports from
Strasbourg.

[Correspondent by telephone] The resolution prepared on the basis of
British MP David Atkinson’s report on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
has been unanimously adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe [PACE]. No amendment, proposed by the Armenian side,
was made to the phrase separatist forces in the document. We should
note that the opposite side claimed that the use of this term in the
document was an affront to Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh’s Armenian
community and tried very hard to get the word freedom fighters used in
the document instead of separatist forces.

Before the session, the political committee even adopted a decision to
make this amendment. However, during the vote at the session, the
Azerbaijani and Turkish parliamentarians spoke out against this
amendment. The head of the Azerbaijani delegation, Samad Seyidov, said
in his speech that only the Armenian lobby was against the adoption of
the resolution and a speedy solution to the problem. They do not want
the resolution to be adopted and the conflict to be solved on the
basis of international law.

After heated discussions, even the political committee, which had
agreed to make this amendment, had to change its decision. During the
general vote, the overwhelming majority spoke out against the
amendment. In general, only two changes were adopted to the resolution
during the vote. One of them says that Azerbaijan should conduct
consultations with both the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities
without any preconditions. The resolution also appeals to
Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Assembly Terry Davis to hold
these consultations in Strasbourg. The other amendment is of a
technical nature. Samad Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation,
said that the resolution is of very special importance to
Azerbaijan. It shows that European countries already recognize Armenia
as an aggressor and acknowledge that Nagornyy Karabakh is still
controlled by separatist forces.

As for the other points of the resolution, they say that the sides
should not resort to a military solution, the Azerbaijani government
should establish ties with both communities of the region in order to
hold consultations on the future status of Nagornyy Karabakh and
should appeal to an international criminal court if it is impossible
to solve the conflict.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
decided to keep this issue at the centre of attention and return to it
at the January 2006 session.

Ayaz Mirzayev, ANS, Strasbourg.

Yerevan: We Recognize the Kars Agreement
By Cumali Onal, Suleyman Kurt

Published: Tuesday 25, 2005
zaman.com

In an interview with Zaman, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan
has recognized the Kars Agreement, stipulated by Ankara.

The Armenian Minister said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s remarks about the Kars Agreement determining the borders
between the two countries were surprising for them. Saying that no
Armenian leaders had made any statements denying Yerevan’s recognition
of the Kars Agreement so far, Oskanyan added: “Armenia is a country
which is a continuation of the Soviet Union. All agreements signed
between the Soviet Union and third countries are valid.”

A high level Turkish diplomat interpreted Oskanyan’s remarks as
“opportunism”. The diplomat said: “There are some expressions in the
Armenian Constitution and the Declaration of Independence which use
the expression “Western Armenia” for Turkey’s eastern regions and Agri
Mountain is also registered in the state emblem. Secondly, they have
made no concrete steps to withdraw from the Azerbaijani territories
that they occupied and the Armenian diaspora continues to accuse
Turkey of genocide. If we are talking about compromise, concrete steps
should be taken on those three areas.” Prime Minister Erdogan raised
the subject of the Kars Agreement after his Moscow trip on January 12,
saying that Yerevan should take the first step on the issue of
Turkey’s opening the Armenian border.

Oskanyan answered questions from Zaman on various issues ranging from
the Kars Agreement to so-called genocide claims.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan explaining that Armenia
does not recognize the Kars Treaty, said “If they say ‘I don’t
recognize it,’ then, in that case, don’t get upset, we won’t recognize
it, either.” Those are the expressions he used. Why don’t you
recognize the Treaty of Kars?

The PM’s statement about the Kars Treaty really surprised me.
Government of Armenia has made no statements saying we don’t recognize
it. We are the successor states of the Soviet Union. All of the
agreements, which the Soviet Union signed, continue to be in force
unless new agreements have been signed to replace them, or unless
statements have been made about not recognizing those agreements.

What is your view on Turkish condition for Armenia to end occupation
in Azerbaijani land?

Turkey can’t try to simplify the Nagorno Karabakh issue so much that
it reduces it to a territorial problem, independent of all other
issues. This is a comprehensive issue, and includes many elements such
as territories, refugees, security, and stability. Until the Nagorno
Karabakh issue arose between Azerbaijan and Armenians, there was no
Azerbaijani territory under Armeniancontrol. Those territories came
under Armenian control after the Nagorno Karabakh issue came to the
fore. The Turkish side is confusing cause and consequence. By
separating cause from consequence, you can’t solve this problem. At
the heart of the problem, is that Azerbaijan doesn’t deal with the
fundamental core issue. That is why Turkey can’t turn the territories
issue into a precondition. It’s not that we’re not for finding a
solution. But we want the issue to be looked at in its totality.

What do you say about Turkey’s mediation? By the same token, should
Russia have become a mediator?

Turkey cannot be a mediator in the Nagorno Karabakh resolution
process, because it is biased. Russia, on the other hand, has no
preconditions for a resolution. And it is not biased. But Turkey comes
forward, at every opportunity, from its one-sided position. If Turkey
reviews its policy toward Armenia, establishes full diplomatic
relations, and develops good relations equal tothose it has with
Azerbaijan, then, Turkey’s mediation would be very effective. Turkey
always proposes mediation. Although we have regular bilateral
meetings, without any problems, however, the matter of mediation is
different.

Russia and Turkey’s joint act on the issue does not help for solution

How does a joint cooperation between Ankara and Russia affect the
solution?

We have no problems with the fact that we are on the agenda of both
countries. However, I don’t believe that the combined efforts of the
two countries would aid in the resolution process.

One fifth of Azerbaijani land is under Armenian occupation. When will
you end this?

Nagorno Karabakh has always been Armenian territory. As for the other
regions, that is a matter between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. In
the Soviet Union, Nagorno Karabakh was included within Azerbaijan.
When war erupted between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, it is
natural that Armenia helped Nagorno Karabakh. The fundamental reason
that there are negotiations being conducted between Armenia and
Azerbaijan is that Azerbaijan refuses to negotiate with Nagorno
Karabakh.

Years ago, you put Genocide assertions on the agenda. In that regard,
you are also trying to receive the assistance of the West, led by the
US. What is your intent? Are you trying to grab territory from Turkey,
or to receive compensation?

Take a look at the map please. Turkey’s geography, economy, and
population are obvious. Armenia on the other hand is a small and poor
country. On the Armenian foreign policy agenda, there is no reference
to territories or compensation. Our foreign policy goal is
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, together with
recognition by Turkey. What happened in 1915 is quite obviously
Genocide. Turks have differing opinions about that. Let’s let people
openly discuss this issue. We are democratic societies. There is no
need to become concerned that Armenia is trying to place this issue on
other countries’ agendas. Turks, too, can lobby in different
countries, work with them. However, Armenia absolutely does not view
this as a precondition for the improvementof relations with Turkey. We
have never said that Turkey first acknowledges the Genocide. We could
have resolved the matter through dialogue, had there been diplomatic
relations between the two countries. How are we to resolve this issue?
Since we’re not able to resolve it at the governmental level, then
there are efforts to seek solutions at other levels, through other
channels.

According to you, will Turkey’s entry into the EU facilitate this
claim?

Today, there are two important problems between Armenia and Turkey:
opening the border, and Genocide. For the improvement of relations,
Genocide recognition is not a precondition but open borders
automatically are. No one can insist that there can be normal
relations between two countries if the border between them is
closed. However, even without Genocide recognition, it is possible to
normalize relations. The Genocide is a moral, broader issue. The EU,
too, would like for Turkey to recognize the Genocide at some stage in
the process. We hope that these matters will be included in the agenda
for negotiations between Turkey and the EU to begin later this year.
But on the border issue, we can’t wait 10-15 years or longer, for
Turkey to be accepted into the EU, for there to be some positive
movement. We hope that very soon, Turkey will open the border.

Armenians living in Turkey accuse the Armenians of the Diaspora for
insisting on Genocide recognition. Where does Armenia take place in
this discussion?

It is natural that the Armenians of the Diaspora would more frequently
raise the issue. They are the descendants of the Genocide survivors.
Their grandfathers were pushed to the Syrian deserts, to the Arab
countries, and from there, they moved on to Europe and the US. They
grew up listening to the elders telling stories of the Genocide. But,
this isn’t just their issue; it’s also Armenia’s issue. There is no
difference between them.

There is nothing left for historians to discuss about

If the issue is first discussed by historians and specialists, and
they find some common ground, wouldn’t that ease the process?

There is nothing new to say on this. There are countless studies on
the subject and the events of 1915 have very clearly emerged. If the
historians were to gather again, no one’s point of view would change.
The specialists have been working. They’re done with their work. Now,
it is essential that the Turkish government enter into this discussion.
Why are we afraid of these discussions? Today, around the world,
there are many countries with similar problems. Japan and South Korea,
South Korea and China, Japan and the US, the US and Mexico, and
others. These countries continue to have relations with each other,
even as they continue to discuss these events. And they have fine
relations.

Cairo, Ankara

EU envoy urges Armenia, Georgia to put forward joint regional initiatives

Mediamax news agency
25 Jan 05

YEREVAN

Issues relating to the preparation of an Individual Action Plan as
part of the European [Union’s] New Neighbourhood Policy were discussed
in Yerevan today by the Armenian deputy foreign minister, Ruben
Shugaryan, and the special representative of the European Union in the
South Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie.

Heikki Talvitie expressed his confidence that work on the Individual
Action Plan would be completed this year so that it could be adopted
in 2006, the press service of the Foreign Ministry has told Mediamax.

Shugaryan and Talvitie said the document, together with the
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), would serve as an
effective framework for Armenia’s integration into the European Union.

Ambassador Talvitie suggested that Armenia capitalize on the
opportunities presented by the New Neighbourhood Policy by putting
forward new programmes involving regional cooperation. Namely, the EU
representative said it might be a good idea to initiate some joint
Armenian-Georgian programmes in the first stage. He said their
successful implementation could facilitate the development of new
regional initiatives.

Ruben Shugaryan and Heikki Talvitie also exchanged opinions on
regional problems and discussed ways of securing a negotiated
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

“NEW TIMES” PARTY PROTESTS AGAINST ARREST OF LEADER OF PARTY
“ARMENIAN-ARYAN ORDER”

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25. ARMINFO. Party “New Times” protests against the
arrest of the leader of the party “Armenian-aryan order” Armen
Avetisian. It is said in the statement of the party New Times provided
to ARMINFO Tuesday.

The authors of the statement think that the arrest of Armen Avetisian
bears a political hidden reason and is an order of the authorities.
According to the statement, the true reason of the arrest of Armen
Avetisian is not he anti-Semite statements, as it is officially
motivated, but his speeches against introduction of the system of
social cards in the republic and threats to publish the names of the
representatives of the power who have non-traditional sexual
orientation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

E-GOVERNMENT INTRODUCTION IN ARMENIA TO BE STARTED FROM FOREIGN
MINISTRY

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25. ARMINFO. A pilot project of e-government is being
carried out in Armenia’s Foreign Ministry under the EU IT. Am program,
says the program director Antony Jagus.

The project will be finished in a year. If successful this model will
be applied to the whole Armenian Government. The project envisions
creating a modern computer network, installing necessary equipment,
retraining FM employees. The best example of e-government in FM is the
issuance of e-visas. The next step is e-certificate of no previous
conviction for those seeking jobs abroad. This phase is to be carried
out together with Justice Ministry. For this purpose the computer
networks of the two ministries will be united. The FM’s experience
will be applied to the whole government structure. Officials from
different ministries are now being trained in England under the
program.

Jagus says that the Armenian authorities are actively promoting the
e-government introduction into the executive power. He hopes that the
demonstration of the pilot project results will stimulate the whole
process.

The other bloc of the IT.Am program envisions technically modernizing
the European Regional Institute of Information Technologies of
Armenia, creating a modern academic network and drafting a flexible IT
education program there to allow to train necessary e-government
specialists. This education system will timely react to changes on the
market and will be open for novelties in the sphere. The two blocs of
the program cost a total of 1.2 mln EUR.

BULGARIA ADVOCATES PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25. ARMINFO,. Bulgaria advocates peaceful settlement
of the Karabakh conflict, Bulgarian MP Remzi Osman said during the
Monday meeting of Bulgarian and Azeri MPs.

Bulgaria advocates peaceful settlement of all conflicts including the
Karabakh one. “We pray that this conflict be settled by our next
meeting,” Osman said.

The member of the Azeri-Bulgarian parliamentary friendship group Elman
Mamedov urged the Bulgarian MPs to take up a fair position on the
issue. “I don’t say that Bulgaria should support Azerbaijan in he
settlement but your country should assume a fair position on the issue
which will contribute to its early resolutions.”

Mamedov reminded the Bulgarian MPs that the UN has made 4 resolutions
on the issue which “the Armenian side ignores.” “The UN in its turn
closes its eyes on this negligence. This is inadmissible.”

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Cultural Foundation
CONTACT: Ara Ghazarians, Curator
441 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474-1108
Tel. (781)-646-3090
Website:

ACF Completes Phase II of Microfilms

Arlington, MA – Ever since its founding in 1945, the Armenian Cultural
Foundation has been recognized as one of the major repositories of
invaluable literary treasures in Armenian, English, Farsi, French,
German, Italian, and Russian. Especially important is its unique
collection of Old and New World Armenian periodicals. In 2000 the
Foundation released its Bibliography of the Armenian Periodicals,
Monographic Series, and Reference Materials. This resource book
includes detailed information about 144 periodicals titles, 35
yearbooks, 193 monographic series and reference materials comprising
51 dictionaries, 44 bibliographies, chronologies, encyclopedias, and
atlases.

Cognizant of the value of these priceless items, their advance age and
rapidly deteriorating conditions, the Foundation, after conducting a
survey of microfilms of Armenian periodicals available in various
academic centers and institutions, decided to undertake the
preservation of its Armenian periodical titles. The first phase of the
projects, a total of 43 volumes, includes Biwzandion (Constantinople,
1896-1916), Azg (Boston, 1907-1921) , Azg-Pahak (Boston, 1921-1922),
Azatamart (Constantinople, 1909-1914), and Dzayn Hayreneats’ (New
York, Worcester, Boston, 1899-1907). The selection of the above titles
has been based on their fragile condition and on the research requests
submitted by a number of scholars.

Last month, the Foundation completed the second phase of the project,
Comprised of 61 reels, it includes the periodicals Hayrenik’
[Fatherland] (Constantinople, 1891-1896, 1909-1910), Arewelk’ [East]
(Constantinople, 1884-93, 1898-1912), Chakatamart [Battle]
(Constantinople, 1920-1923), Surhandak [Messenger] (Constantinople,
1889-1900, 1910), Marmara (Istanbul, 1924-1925), Armenia (Marseille,
France, 1904-1923), Masis (Constantinople, 1878-1884, 1896-1898), and
Arawot [Morning] (Constantinople, 1924). This set is available for
purchase, as individual reels, titles or a complete sets.

The third phase of this project is scheduled for the Spring of 2006.
For more information and details please contact the Foundation office
during office hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST.

EU envoy, Armenian official discuss electoral law

Arminfo
25 Jan 05

YEREVAN

The chairman of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission CEC ,
Garegin Azaryan, and the visiting EU special representative for the
South Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, today discussed reforms of
the Armenian Electoral Code.

Garegin Azaryan told the guest that the CEC has already prepared a
package of proposals on reforming the Armenian Electoral Code on 149
pages and if the Armenian National Assembly wants to listen to the
CEC’s opinion, he is ready to inform MPs of the commission’s views,
the press service of the Armenian CEC told an Arminfo correspondent.

Experts of the commission believe that it is necessary to computerize
all the polling stations of the country within a year, which is
already being negotiated with the OSCE. It is also necessary to
retrain members of local and regional electoral commissions, members
of electoral commissions should be appointed not by political parties
but the authorities, and they should include representatives of all
the parliamentary and presidential candidates. This will help avoid
reports of breaches of the rights of proxies and observers during
elections. It is the authorities that organize elections, and
responsibility for their conduct lies with electoral commissions
rather than political parties, proxies and so on, Garegin Azaryan
stressed.

As for the notorious election lists that caused a storm of criticism
in the latest presidential and parliamentary elections in the country,
they were published on the Internet on 2 July 2004, and now any
political party can access them, discuss them with the local
authorities and electoral commissions and make their amendments, the
chairman of the CEC noted.

Heikki Talvitie was also informed that according to the existing
legislation, the Armenian CEC has no right to take part in the
parliamentary discussions of the package of electoral reforms.

Passage omitted: Talvitie met Kocharyan

Wales-Armenia Solidarity
Solidarite Pays de Galles- Armenie
Press Release

On the Eve of Holocaust Memorial Day,The Political, Cultural, and
Religious Elite of Wales once more gather in Solidarity with the
Armenian and Jewish victims of Turkish and Nazi Crimes against
Humanity

At The Temple of Peace, Cardiff, capital of Wales, a nation emerging
from 700 years of English misrule, on 26th january, representatives of
all Religious denominations, the President of the National Cultural
Festival and the leaders all political parties, including the First
Minister of the National Assembly Rhodri Morgan gather to commemmorate
the Armenian victims of genocide perpetrated by the Turkish State in
1894-96, 1909, and 1915-23 (and the Jewish victims of the1939-45
Holocaust). On this issue unanimity of opinion has been reached and
this establishes a moral challenge to the U.K. government’s position
of conniving to aid Turkey’s accesion into the European Union without
any pre-condition of Recognition of its past crimes against the
Armenian nation. The main speaker will be Mike Joseph, the authority
on the close connection between the Armenian Genocide and the Jewish
Holocaust. Welsh and Armenian choirs will participate at this
occassion.

It was the Welshman David Lloyd George, who was Prime minister of
Britain from 1916-22, who recognised Britain’s guilt in the matter. He
wrote in 1932 in “The Truth about Peace Treaties”: ” It was the
actions of the British government that led to the massacres of
1894-96, 1909 and worst of all, the the Holocaust of 1915″. True to
tradition today’s British government continue to turn a blind eye to
Turkey’s genocidal policies towards Armenia.